David James
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Rahul-RSS row ‘outside’ Election Commission purview
NEW DELHI: Even as the BJP cries hoarse and indulges in a political slugfest over Congress vice-president Rahul's Gandhi's recent remarks linking RSS to Mahatma's Gandhi's assassination, there may be little that the Election Commission can do in the matter. For, the Sangh, being a non-political outfit not directly involved with electioneering, may not qualify for immunity from such criticism under the model code of conduct.
According to the model code of conduct, "Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided".
However, as the EC looks at the model code of conduct, some of its officials feel there is nothing in the model code to restrain a political party, leader or worker from criticizing a non-political entity not involved in the electoral campaign. "People are free to make observations against any individual or entity. The Commission comes into the picture only where a political party, candidate or party worker attacks a rival party, candidate or party worker based on unsubstantiated allegations," said a senior EC official.
Former CEC N Gopalaswami endorsed this view, saying that EC would do well not to intervene in the matter, as its jurisdiction is limited to enforcing the model code of conduct, which covers only political parties, candidates and party workers. "RSS is a non-political organization and has no direct role in elections.
The EC should, therefore, revert to BJP and RSS on their respective complaints, clarifying that it is not the suitable agency for redress," he told TOI from Chennai.
Rahul-RSS row ‘outside’ Election Commission purview - The Times of India
NEW DELHI: Even as the BJP cries hoarse and indulges in a political slugfest over Congress vice-president Rahul's Gandhi's recent remarks linking RSS to Mahatma's Gandhi's assassination, there may be little that the Election Commission can do in the matter. For, the Sangh, being a non-political outfit not directly involved with electioneering, may not qualify for immunity from such criticism under the model code of conduct.
According to the model code of conduct, "Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided".
However, as the EC looks at the model code of conduct, some of its officials feel there is nothing in the model code to restrain a political party, leader or worker from criticizing a non-political entity not involved in the electoral campaign. "People are free to make observations against any individual or entity. The Commission comes into the picture only where a political party, candidate or party worker attacks a rival party, candidate or party worker based on unsubstantiated allegations," said a senior EC official.
Former CEC N Gopalaswami endorsed this view, saying that EC would do well not to intervene in the matter, as its jurisdiction is limited to enforcing the model code of conduct, which covers only political parties, candidates and party workers. "RSS is a non-political organization and has no direct role in elections.
The EC should, therefore, revert to BJP and RSS on their respective complaints, clarifying that it is not the suitable agency for redress," he told TOI from Chennai.
Rahul-RSS row ‘outside’ Election Commission purview - The Times of India
May I suggest that they should start saving for the coming five years as they will be jobless for a while after May.
